Caring Homes First Wellbeing Day Success
The first Caring Homes Wellbeing Day took place on Friday with all 69 homes taking part in the run up to this week which is World Wellbeing Week.
During the Covid-19 Pandemic Caring Homes has designed and implemented a unique wellbeing response to the virus with several projects and initiatives underway to support residents’ wellbeing. Extra support has also been given to colleagues with the launch of a wellbeing app and weekly newsletter offering to support to those who may want it.
The aim of the Wellbeing Day – Wear Something White for Wellbeing, was to encourage residents and colleagues to take part in activities together and to talk about mental and physical wellbeing.
Project Support Manager Melissa Jeffery explained, “The aim of the day was to raise awareness for both staff and residents physical and mental wellbeing and I was delighted that all homes took part. The aim was for every home to be able to personalise the day and make it their own, so some took part just in a small way, others with something much bigger.
“In addition to wearing something white we encouraged homes to use old white an T-shirt or napkin and get involved by painting rainbows on these items to support and raise awareness for all those working in the frontline against Covid-19. We had rainbow banners produced at homes as well as one where the residents painted the team – who were wearing white T-shirts.”
During the Covid-19 outbreak the rainbow has become a key symbol, including for a national campaign where rainbows have appeared in home and shop windows to show support and just to cheer people up who may see them from outside. The rainbow is a symbol of hope and positivity, after all you can’t have a rainbow without the rain.
Other activities across the homes on Caring Homes Wellbeing Day included picnics, barbecues, afternoon tea, discussions on themes of peace, happiness and friendship, mindfulness breathing exercises, a ‘White, white wedding’ event and an Abba themed day.
“Everyone involved in planning our Wellbeing Day is delighted with how it went, a real success,” said Melissa. “We now plan to make it an annual event.”
Caring Homes has increased the use of technology across the company since the outbreak of coronavirus to enhance activities and wellbeing for residents. Homes have been provided with additional smartphones allowing for more WhatsApp and Skype connectivity with relatives outside of the home. In addition, all homes now have SMART TV connectivity enabling virtual and digital activities to take place. Some of the activities taking place across our homes include: armchair travel, virtual church services, virtual pet shows and virtual concerts such as Andrea Bocelli’s Music for Hope.
All homes receive Caring Homes Wellbeing Communication Packs with plenty of access to suggested resources for activities in isolation, following social distancing measures and also offering 1:1 personalised wellbeing support. Included in the packs are activities beneficial to those living with dementia and those in self-isolation.
